OK - been lurking since August of 2002 - so here goes - bio for 
Eric Bernard.
Born in 1970, raised in Massachusetts, USA.  Married, 
with a GIT No. 1, type X due to show up around the beginning of May 2003. 
Went to a Maritime Academy down on the Cape ( Cod ) after which I sailed
on tankers for Mobil Oil Corp. - aka Merchant Marine
( Merchant Navy - Jeff ).  Various shore-side engineering positions since
then - but the hat I wear today is that of a Project Engineer for a
company in Foxboro MA which designs and manufactures control systems for
the power and process industry.
I'm thinking my evolution into Galootdome is a story not all that unusual
- so I'll give the abridged version:  Dad was/is in the trades,
consequently tools were always hanging around the house.  Woodshop in high
school.  Worked a couple of collage summers in a small shop which did
custom work for a local "fence" builder (gates, pagodas, gazeboes, etc.). 
Gid ( my wife ) and I bought an old ( ca 1830 ) clunker of a house in
Newton, MA about 5 years ago.  Unbeknown to me at the time of purchase -
it became evident while I was renovating - that this house is perched on a
slope ( proverbial mind you ).....
So - over the past few years the collection, er uhh.....group, uhhh...box
with tools in it has grown a little, some planes, some saws, some chisels.
 So far so good - I'd like to thank you all for the tool it seems I use
most - this porch. The sense of community and knowledge shared here is
invaluable - and a damn good read to boot.  So I graciously ask permission
to board.

Eric Bernard
Newton, MA
USA
21 Feb 2003